As has been the case over the last couple of years, Kentucky
continues to make some of the most significant hemp headlines.
Here is a recap of some of the KY stories that have recently hit
the news wires:

WOODY'S HEMP SEED SEDITION SUCCEEDS!

Hempsters around the country celebrated Independence Day a
day early when Kentucky Circuit Court Judge William Trude upheld
the District Court of Lee County's January, 1997 ruling that Kentucky's
laws prohibiting the cultivation of industrial hemp were "unconstitutionally
defective due to its overbroad application." Woody Harrelson,
who planted four hemp seeds in June of 1996, has started a process
that could conceivably result in hemp once again being Kentucky's
#1 cash crop. Woody declared from the steps of the courthouse
that July 3rd was "Independence Day for Kentucky's farmers".
Lee County's prosecuting attorney, Tom Jones, said that he will
take the case to Kentucky's Court of Appeals, one step closer
to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. [Contact: Burl McCoy, attorney
for Woody Harrelson, 606-254-6363]

HEMP HEARING HELD

On July 9, 1997, Kentucky's Interim Joint Committee on Agriculture
and Natural Resources, chaired by Republican Ernie Harris, heard
testimony on industrial hemp. Long time hemp activist, Gatewood
Galbraith, and the recently assailed school teacher, Donna Cockrel,
were joined by farmers, hempsters, and concerned citizens who
believe that hemp has a legitimate purpose in Kentucky's agricultural
and economic future.

As is their wont, government officials tried to intimidate
the Committee by flying DEA official, Greg Williams, in from Washington
D.C. to testify. Williams warned that if hemp is legalized, people
would soon be selling it as marijuana on the black market. More
inane statements were made by other law and order types, including
Kentucky's Justice Secretary, Dan Cherry (see "Quotes of
Note" for examples). Three days after the hearings, a Lexington
Herald-Leader editorial stated that "the unreasoned paranoia
of law enforcement officials" was preventing an open debate
on this subject. The editorial concluded by saying that a regulated
hemp industry would work in America "if our law enforcement
officials could get past their fear and accept the fact that the
hemp you roll in paper isn't the same as the hemp used to make
that paper." Committee chairman Harris indicated that the
industrial hemp issue will be revisited in the future.

COCKREL'S CANNABIS CRISIS CONTINUES: SHE'S CANNED!

Simpsonville, Kentucky elementary school teacher, Donna Cockrel,
made national news in the spring of 1996 when she brought Woody
Harrelson into her classroom to discuss industrial hemp. Since
then, Ms. Cockrel has been subjected to misguided accusations
by the Shelby County Deputy Sheriff and DARE instructor, Audrey
Yeager. Her conduct was also investigated by the state professional
standards board, although the complaints were dismissed. In May
of this year, Cockrel appealed what she considered to be an unfair
evaluation by her principle, Bruce Slate. During the Shelby County
Board of Education appeals panel hearing, dozens of Cockrel's
supporters (and several relatives) demonstrated outside the hearing
in support of the beleaguered instructor. Despite the fact that
hemp has a long and rich past in the Bluegrass State, opponents
claim that Cockrel was, in effect, promoting drug use (i.e., marijuana).
On June 4, 1997, CNN's newsmagazine "American Edge"
discussed this issue with Cockrel and Yeager. When asked how she
felt about drug use, Cockrel responded "I believe that all
children should say no to drugs. But I want them to say yes to
the truth." (Yeager's thoughts are summarized below in "Quotes
of Note".) Cockrel, who grew up on a farm, empathizes with
the plight of Kentucky's farmers. She believes that hemp could
supplement the income farmers receive from growing tobacco.

If the above harassment wasn't enough, the July 16, 1997 Lexington
Herald-Leader reported that Donna Cockerel had been fired. A five
page letter from Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Leon Mooneyhan,
alleges that Cockrel, among other things, used profanity when
referring to Simpsonville Principal Bruce Slate; encouraged or
permitted students to cheat on field-day events; called students
derogatory names; failed to participate in teachers' meetings;
and didn't prepare lesson plans or teach required subjects. Mooneyhan
said that none of the allegations dealt with hemp. Cockrel, who
may run for a seat in the state senate in 1998 on a pro-hemp platform,
intends to appeal her dismissal and to seek a public hearing on
it. [Allen St. Pierre, The NORML Foundation, 202-483-8751, NATLNORML@aol.com]

=-=-=-=-=-
GROW CANADA, WE SOW OUR HEMP ON THEE!

The June 11, 1997 London Free Press reported that up to 1,000
acres of industrial hemp could be cultivated by Hempline Inc.
in 1998. Geof Kime, president of Hempline Inc., is confident that
his firm will be in full commercial production by next year. Thanks
in part to Kime's lobbying efforts, Bill C-8, passed in May, 1997,
makes a distinction between industrial hemp and therapeutic cannabis
(marijuana). Officials at Health Canada assured Kime that industrial
hemp regulations will be in place by January, 1998, paving the
way for Hempline Inc. (and others) to plant the first commercial
hemp crop in Canada in 70 years. Hempline Inc. will employ ten
people when in full production. Kime expects to ship up to 90%
of their crop to the United States for processing and sale. Hempline
Inc., which has been growing hemp via an experimental license
since 1994, is also developing the harvesting equipment necessary
to cut and bail the hemp. [Contact: Geof Kime, 519-434-3684, gkime@hempline.com,
www.hempline.com]

=-=-=-=-=-
B.C. TO "SUC-SEED" IN THE SPRING

The Granby Hemp Cooperative has been granted the 1st experimental
license to grow industrial hemp in British Columbia. The co-op
will experiment with various uses of hemp, including edible oils
and fiber. Roy Clermont of Can-Par is interested in using hemp
stalks in his company's particle board because of its strength
and because hemp fibers act as a fire retardant when used in these
types of composite products.

Reuters reported on June 25, 1997 that the European Union farm
ministers had agreed to reduce the farmer's hemp subsidy in 1998
by 7.5% (about $30 per acre). European Union Farm Commissioner,
Frank Fischeler, stated on June 20, 1997 that a cut in compensatory
payments to cereals and oilseed farmers was needed to help finance
aid for beef producers suffering from the repercussions of the
recent outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease).
Representatives from several E.U. countries including Germany,
France, and Holland argued that it is unfair for their farmers
to lose income because of this. A potential benefit for hemp (and
other) farmers could arise as a result of the mad cow crisis.
Because less cattle are being raised in England, there is now
additional arable acreage available for the cultivation of hemp.

=-=-=-=-=-
QUEEN'S COPS NOT QUALMISH OVER CANNABIS HEMP

England's version of the DEA, the Home Office Drugs Branch,
issued a release on April 23, 1997 stating that very few law enforcement
problems have arisen relating to licensed industrial hemp cultivation,
which began in 1993. This contradicts the oft repeated statements
by American law enforcement officers and politicians who claim
that hemp cultivation will create numerous problems. (see Sgt.
Edward Moses' statement in the "Quotes of Note" section).
The UK is dealing with this issue with straightforward regulations
that substantially reduce the chance of problems. For instance,
British hemp farmers must plant their crops in areas where there
is limited public access. Screening crops, or other security measures,
may also be required, and only European Union approved hemp seed
(< 0.3% THC) may be planted. Drugs Inspector, Miss Wendy Nevill,
noted that "In 1996, when some 4,000 acres were grown here
under license, there was only one incident where large-scale theft
took place. The offenders were arrested before the hemp reached
the illicit market." It is therefore apparent that hemp could
be grown in America with a minimal amount of interference from
the government. [Contact: Miss Nevill at the Home Office South
East Region Drugs Inspectorate, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London,
SW1H 9AT (phone: 0171 273 3530)]

=-=-=-=-=-
HEMP SODA HITS THE U.K.

Reuters reported on June 11, 1997, that "Hemp" soda
was now being imported to England from Germany by Shackleford
Sales Ltd. Hemp soda, which is being sold at the Selfridges department
store in London, is being marketed as a premium energy soft drink
with a nutty flavor. The citrus soda contains hemp oil, caffeine,
and vitamins, but no THC, as confirmed by Britain's Home Office
Drugs Branch. Hemp soda had previously been introduced in Germany
by Designer Food International.

=-=-=-=-=-
HEMP LAWS INTRODUCED DOWN UNDER

An April 24, 1997 press release from the Office of the Minister
of Agriculture and Resources stated that "legislation has
been introduced into State Parliament to allow the commercial
production of hemp in Victoria [Australia]". This legislative
amendment will provide a regulatory framework for the commercial
production of non-drug varieties of industrial hemp. Successful
trials using hemp with a 0.35% THC content were completed at thirteen
sites over the last two fiscal years. The press release went on
to say that "applicants will be required to prove they intend
to undertake bona fide research or commercial activity related
to non-therapeutic use of cannabis and commercial production will
also be limited to those who can demonstrate they have a market
for the crop to be produced." Government inspectors will
have the power to determine whether plants, crops, or products
are being produced in accordance with the legislation. While there
are currently no primary processing facilities in Australia, several
organizations are researching new technologies. [Contact: Australian
Hemp Resource & Manufacture, Carolyn Ditchfield, 61-736-95925,
ahrm@hits.net.au]

=-=-=-=-=-
HEMP SPLASHED ACROSS THE PAGES OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

The June 22, 1997 New York Times contained an article entitled
"A Republican Campaigns for Hemp at a Rock Festival".
In it, Andrew C. Revkin wrote about how Fred A. Maslack, a 38
year old conservative Republican State Representative from Vermont,
promoted industrial hemp at the Hemp Splash festival in Odena,
New York. While thousands of people enjoyed smoking marijuana
at the weekend festival, Maslack kept busy discussing the environmental
and economic impact that industrial hemp could have. He also said
that the hemp movement is "a classic Republican issue. It's
all about getting government out of the way so people can go out
and make money." Maslack well knows that hemp could help
his state's slumping farm industry, because it grows well on the
rugged terrain that is common in Vermont. As such, he worked to
get an industrial hemp bill passed in Vermont last year that allows
for research into hemp's economic potential. (See "Hemp in
Vermont" article in this issue for more information.)

=-=-=-=-=-
HEMP MOVING IN BOSTON

The Hempest, Boston's premier hemp store, moved to a bigger
and better location on July 3, 1997. The new store, which is 50%
larger, is situated smack dab in the middle of Boston's most prestigious
shopping district at 207 Newbury Street. Business has been steady
as many well healed shoppers visit the Hempest each day. Please
contact Jon Napoli at 617-421-9944 for information about selling
your hemp products in Boston.

=-=-=-=-=-
EARTH GOODS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS

A July 17, 1997 e-mail to HIA members notified hempsters that
Earth Goods USA, Inc. is going out of business. Headed up by Dave
Edwards and Dave Stunda, Earth Goods produced naturally dyed hemp
clothing and accessories. Their remaining inventory is being offered
at liquidation prices. Items for sale include 100% hemp women's
skirts ($15 and up), men's hemp shirts ($26 & $32), and hemp
tote bags ($10). A final production run of hemp shirts are also
being offered at discount prices. [Contacts: Dave Edwards &
Dave Stunda, 206-621-0990, hemp@earthgoods.com]

=-=-=-=-=-
QUOTES OF NOTE

The state of Kentucky's Justice Secretary, Dan Cherry, testified
that "what we're talking about here today is the legalization
of marijuana." Cherry also had this to say about conducting
basic research at a Kentucky university: it's "a slippery
slope heading toward the worst possible conclusion." [Interim
Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources' testimony on industrial
hemp; Lexington Herald-Leader, 7/10/97]

"I do know that it doesn't have the same level of THC
as marijuana. But the thing is, it's still got THC in it which
is illegal and is a mind-altering drug."
"There is no way that law enforcement [can] distinguish between
industrial hemp and marijuana. There is just no way industrial
hemp can be regulated." [Audrey Yeager, Shelby County [Kentucky]
Deputy Sheriff and DARE Instructor; CNN's Newsmagazine American
Edge Explores "The Hemp Alternative", 6/4/97]

"This is not something I have done with pleasure and it
is not a witch hunt." [Shelby County Schools Superintendent,
Leon Mooneyhan, referring to his firing of Donna Cockrel; Lexington
Herald-Leader, 7/16/97]

Sgt. Edward Moses, of the Missouri Highway Patrol, said his
agency fears drug users will find ways to concentrate THC from
industrial hemp or find ways to conceal pot plants among the fiber
plants. Moses said Missouri's wild hemp has cash value as "filler"
when dealers mix it with more potent marijuana to extend their
profits. "Plus," he added, "the kids are getting
the idea it's no big deal because it's being touted for fiber
and food." [Kansas City Star, 4/27/97] (Ed's note; see above
hemp line note about England's Home Office Drugs Branch opinion
on this subject.)

"Sensitivity is such that the White House Drug Enforcement
Office should be contacted before USDA staff attend meetings on
industrial hemp, or get involved with research programs."
[Department of Agriculture memo on the internet; Capital Times/Wisconsin
State Journal, 5/31/97]

"Hemp production, once a thriving commodity, died out
in the 1920's when the federal government banned it and its TOXIC
cannabis cousin, marijuana." [Eric Bender, London (Canada)
Free Press Business Reporter, 6/11/97]

"Unless the economic viability of industrial hemp production
is evaluated by serious field trials and pilot scale processing
in the United States, hemp fabrics and paper uses will likely
remain a very small niche market satisfied by imports." [U.S.
Department of Agriculture report; Capital Times/Wisconsin State
Journal, 5/31/97] (Ed's note: Catch-22 anyone?)

"Nobody cares about the environmental uses of hemp. That's
taking us back to the Stone Age. . . Whatever product you can
make from hemp, DuPont will come out with a synthetic fiber to
replace it." [DEA special agent, Abel Reynoso; Buzz Magazine,
3/97]